Change is one constant in UH's season of transition

By Sam Khan Jr. |
March 20, 2012
| Updated: March 21, 2012 12:48pm

University of Houston quarterback David Piland looks for an open receiver in the fourth quarter of a NCAA football game against the University of Central Florida Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, in Robertson Stadium in Houston. The University of Central Florida won 40-33. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle )

The Houston Cougars begin spring football practice Wednesday under first-year coach Tony Levine. Here are five things to watch heading into spring practice, which concludes April 13 with the annual Red-White spring game:

1. Who's the quarterback? For the first time since 2007, the Cougars begin a season without Case Keenum as the clear-cut starter. So who is the heir apparent? The favorite going into spring ball is redshirt sophomore David Piland, who started eight games in 2010 while Keenum and backup Cotton Turner were injured and showed promise down the stretch. Competing with Piland is senior Crawford Jones (last year's No. 3 quarterback), redshirt freshman Bram Kohlhausen (Lamar High School) and the wild card, redshirt sophomore Aaron Johnson, the former Longview High quarterback who has spent the last two seasons at receiver and defensive back.

2. A new-look defense. After two seasons in a 3-4 alignment, the Cougars will transition to a 4-3 look in their front seven. New defensive coordinator Jamie Bryant, who was UH's linebackers coach a year ago, said the Cougars will be "very multiple," offering a variety of defensive looks moving forward. UH has added a second defensive line coach, Ricky Logo (who worked with Bryant at Vanderbilt), to join defensive line coach Carlton Hall and help the transition to the 4-3 alignment.

3. New faces on the coaching staff. With the change in coaches from Kevin Sumlin, who left to take the Texas A&M job in December, to the hiring of Levine, who spent the past four seasons as UH's special teams coordinator and inside receivers coach, there are plenty of new faces on the coaching staff. On defense, Logo joined the team, while Bryant moved up to fill the void left by former defensive coordinator Brian Stewart. Former Arizona State special teams coordinator Jamie Christian holds that title with UH in addition to coaching inside receivers. The entire offensive staff is new: coordinator Mike Nesbitt, running backs coach Travis Bush, offensive line coach Lee Hays and outside receivers coach Brandon Middleton.

4. The competition at receiver. Helping the Cougars go 13-1 last season were the guys catching Keenum's passes, most of whom were seniors - starters Tyron Carrier, Patrick Edwards, Justin Johnson and E.J. Smith have graduated. Houston enters the spring with 19 receivers on the roster competing for playing time at the four starting spots. In addition, five true freshmen will join the fray in the fall, which makes it imperative the current Cougars make their mark in the next three weeks.

5. The return game. Carrier was a mainstay in the kickoff return game, tying the NCAA record for career kickoff returns for touchdowns with seven. Edwards was explosive in the punt return game as well; the Cougars will have to find replacements for both. Candidates include receivers Isaiah Sweeney, Dewayne Peace, Damian Payne, Daniel Spencer, Casey Martin and Wayne Beadle, running back Charles Sims and safety Jeffery Lewis.